THE news that the RSPCA has finally agreed to carry out a review of its controversial prosecutions policy could prevent hundreds of innocent livestock farmers suffering the trauma of prosecution, according to a leading agricultural lawyer, David Kirwan.
Mr Kirwan has welcomed with caution the news that the charity has appointed former chief inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service Stephen Wooler to carry out the first review of its prosecutions policy in 20 years.
Mr Kirwan said: “For years farmers have borne the brunt of the RSPCA’s politicking.
The news that the charity has bowed to pressure to conduct an internal review should give innocent livestock farmers hope that the findings will confirm what many have argued all along – that the charity’s prosecutions policy is completely at odds with its very ethos of putting animals first.
“However, we must bear in mind when reading the findings that the review has been commissioned by the charity itself.”
The RSPCA’s decision to conduct an internal review, is expected to cost between £30,000-£50,000 and will take place over the next three months. The findings are expected to be published by the summer.
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